Management of Hyperglycemia in COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome - Proposed Guidelines for India.

SARS-CoV-2 virus spread rapidly all over the globe in 2020 and the second wave has taken our nation, India by storm. The pandemic has posed unique challenges in people with metabolic disorders, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, pulmonary, cardiovascular, kidney and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Uncontrolled diabetes, in conjunction with endocrine, inflammatory and metabolic effects of the infection itself has made management of hyperglycemia in COVID-19 infection particularly challenging. Furthermore, the post-COVID-19 syndrome has also emerged as a sequela in COVID-19 survivors, increasing the risk of death, complications and adding further burden on the health care system. With more than a year of experience, we have gained substantial insight; and now provide practical recommendations on the management of hyperglycemia in COVID-19 as well as post COVID-19 syndrome.

A pragmatic and scalable strategy using mobile technology to promote sustained lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes in India and the UK: a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This randomised controlled trial was performed in India and the UK in people with prediabetes to study whether mobile phone short message service (SMS) text messages can be used to motivate and educate people to follow lifestyle modifications, to prevent type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The study was performed in people with prediabetes (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031) defined by HbA1c ≥42 and ≤47 mmol/mol (≥6.0% and ≤6.4%). Participants were recruited from public and private sector organisations in India (men and women aged 35-55 years) and by the National Health Service (NHS) Health Checks programme in the UK (aged 40-74 years without pre-existing diabetes, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease). Allocation to the study groups was performed using a computer-generated sequence (1:1) in India and by stratified randomisation in permuted blocks in the UK. Investigators in both countries remained blinded throughout the study period. All participants received advice on a healthy lifestyle at baseline. The intervention group in addition received supportive text messages using mobile phone SMS messages 2-3 times per week. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was conversion to type 2 diabetes and secondary outcomes included anthropometry, biochemistry, dietary and physical activity changes, blood pressure and quality of life. RESULTS: At the 2 year follow-up (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031), in the intention-to-treat population the HR for development of type 2 diabetes calculated using a discrete-time proportional hazards model was 0.89 (95% CI 0.74, 1.07; p = 0.22). There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This trial in two countries with varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds showed no significant reduction in the progression to diabetes in 2 years by lifestyle modification using SMS messaging. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The primary study was registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov (India, NCT01570946; UK, NCT01795833). FUNDING: The study was funded jointly by the Indian Council for Medical Research and the UK Medical Research Council.

Protocol for a clinical trial of text messaging in addition to standard care versus standard care alone in prevention of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle modification in India and the UK.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is a serious clinical problem in both India and the UK. Adoption of a healthy lifestyle through dietary and physical activity modification can help prevent type 2 diabetes. However, implementing lifestyle modification programmes to high risk groups is expensive and alternative cheaper methods are needed. We are using a short messaging service (SMS) programme in our study as a tool to provide healthy lifestyle advice and an aid to motivation. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy and user acceptability of text messaging employed in this way for people with pre-diabetes (HbA1c 6.0% to ≤6.4%; 42-47 mmol/mol) in the UK and India. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomised, controlled trial with participants followed up for 2 years. After being screened and receiving a structured education programme for prediabetes, participants are randomised to a control or intervention group. In the intervention group, text messages are delivered 2-3 times weekly and contain educational, motivational and supportive content on diet, physical activity, lifestyle and smoking. The control group undergoes monitoring only. In India, the trial involves 5 visits after screening (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months). In the UK there are 4 visits after screening (0, 6, 12 and 24 months). Questionnaires (EQ-5D, RPAQ, Transtheoretical Model of Behavioural Change, and food frequency (UK)/24 h dietary recall (India)) and physical activity monitors (Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers) are assessed at baseline and all follow-up visits. The SMS acceptability questionnaires are evaluated in all follow-up visits. The primary outcome is progression to type 2 diabetes as defined by an HbA1c of 6.5% or over(India) and by any WHO criterion(UK). Secondary outcomes are the changes in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose; lipids; proportion of participants achieving HbA1c ≤6.0%; HOMA-IR; HOMA-ß; acceptability of SMS; dietary parameters; physical activity and quality of life. DISCUSSION: The study is designed to assess the efficacy of tailored text messaging in addition to standard lifestyle advice to reduce the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes in the two different countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ; NCT01570946 , 4th April 2012 (India); NCT01795833 , 21st February 2013 (UK).

Metformin in Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes.

Identification and treatment of individuals with prediabetes is crucial. Effective interventional strategies are key to reducing the diabetes risk at the population level. Lifestyle intervention is found to be more effective but more expensive. Evidence of potential benefits from pharmacotherapy is accumulating. The choice of a pharmacologic intervention to reduce the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in high risk individuals must consider the balance between the benefit to risk ratio. A meta-analysis of the results of the three important studies has shown that metformin used for up to three years decrease the likelihood of progression to diabetes. Metformin showed greater beneficial effect in people with higher baseline Body Mass Index (BMI) and higher Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) than in leaner prediabetic counterparts with low FPG concentrations. Besides diabetes risk reduction, the drug has also proved to be cancer and cardio-protective. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence, UK has recommended the use of metformin in prevention of T2DM in adults at high risk on failure to adhere to lifestyle changes. In view of the long standing safety and tolerability, metformin could be prescribed to people who are unable to comply with lifestyle advice.

Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes is Higher among Men with Persistent Impaired Glucose Tolerance than in Transient Impaired Glucose Tolerance - A 5 year Follow up Study.

OBJECTIVE: This was a 5 year comparative analysis of the incidence of type 2 diabetes in men who had persistent impaired glucose tolerance (P-IGT) versus transient impaired glucose tolerance (T-IGT). P-IGT (positive IGT on two oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), T-IGT (IGT in first OGTT and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) in the 2nd OGTT). METHODS: The samples were collected from a randomized controlled diabetes prevention study. The prevention study was done using lifestyle modification (LSM) promoted by use of mobile short message services (SMS) for 2 years. The control group of the randomized study who received advice on LSM at only the baseline formed the P-IGT group for the 3 years follow up study (n=236). T-IGT (n=569) were available from those who had NGT on the 2nd OGTT while screening for the prevention study. The total diabetes incidence at 5 years in the study groups were compared using standard OGTT (WHO criteria). RESULTS: The conversion rate to diabetes in 5 years was significantly lower among T-IGT than among P-IGT, OR=0.202 (95% CI, 0.145-0.296,p< 0.0001). P-IGT had higher rate of risk factors for diabetes than T-IGT. CONCLUSION: The risk of conversion to diabetes was 80 percent lower in T-IGT than in P-IGT. Identification of P-IGT will help in selecting persons who require early intervention for diabetes.

Baseline level of 30-min plasma glucose is an independent predictor of incident diabetes among Asian Indians: analysis of two diabetes prevention programmes.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to study the ability of the 30-min plasma glucose (30-min PG) during an oral glucose tolerance test to predict the future risk of type 2 diabetes among Asian Indians with impaired glucose tolerance. METHODS: For the present analyses, we utilized data from 753 participants from two diabetes primary prevention studies, having complete data at the end of the study periods, including 236 from Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme-1 and 517 from the 2013 study. Baseline 30-min PG values were divided into tertiles: T1 < 9.1 mmol/L (<163.0 mg/dL); T2 9.2-10.4 mmol/L (164.0-187.0 mg/dL) and T3 ≥ 10.4 mmol/L (≥188 mg/dL). The predictive values of tertiles of 30-min PG for incident diabetes were assessed using Cox regression analyses RESULTS: At the end of the studies, 230 (30.5%) participants developed diabetes. Participants with higher levels of 30-min PG were more likely to have increased fasting, 2-h PG and HbA1c levels, increased prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and decreased beta cell function. The progression rate of diabetes increased with increasing tertiles of 30-min PG. Cox's regression analysis showed that 30-min PG was an independent predictor of incident diabetes after adjustment for an array of covariates [Hazard Ratio (HR):1.44 (1.01-2.06)] CONCLUSIONS: This prospective analysis demonstrates, for the first time, an independent association between an elevated 30-min PG level and incident diabetes among Asian Indians with impaired glucose tolerance. Predictive utility of glycemic thresholds at various time points other than the traditional fasting and 2-h PG values should therefore merit further consideration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Screening among male industrial workers in India shows high prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance, undetected diabetes and cardiovascular risk clustering.

OBJECTIVE: To study the magnitude of undetected diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors among male industrial workers. METHODS: Measurements of 2h post glucose blood glucose (2h PG), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were done in 8741 non-diabetic men of 35-55 years. Presence of family history of diabetes (FH) was noted. Risk associations with diabetes and IGT were studied using multiple logistic regression analysis. Clustering of overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension was noted. RESULTS: Prevalence of undetected diabetes (14.9%) and IGT (31.4%) were high. FH, age, hypertension and BMI showed strong associations with diabetes and IGT. More than 40% had clustering of risk factors. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of undetected diabetes, IGT and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors among young industrial workers mandates that regular screening for metabolic disorders should be undertaken to prevent development of severe morbidity in the productive years of life.

Liraglutide-induced acute pancreatitis.

An obese lady of 51 year with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for 13 years was prescribed Liraglutide, a glucagon like peptide (GLP-1) analogue (Victoza) for glycaemic control and reduction of weight. She was on gliclazide and Insulin prior to initiation of Liraglutide. Eight weeks after initiation of GLP -1 analogue, she developed severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. She was admitted to a private hospital and evaluated. Biochemical tests and CT scan revealed presence of pancreatitis and she was treated for acute pancreatitis. Liraglutide was withdrawn and symptoms subsided. Subsequent follow-up showed that pancreatic enzyme levels were normal.

Combining Fasting Plasma Glucose with Gamma-glutamyl Transferase Improves the Sensitivity to Predict Incident Diabetes in Asian Indian Men with Impaired Glucose Tolerance.

OBJECTIVE: To study the associations of baseline gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alanine transaminase (ALT) with incident diabetes among Asian Indian men with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: In a 2 year prospective, randomised, controlled primary prevention study of diabetes, among 537 IGT men aged 35-55 years, 123 incident diabetes (DM) cases occurred. Anthropometric {body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC)}, and laboratory measurements (fasting, 30 min and 2 hr plasma glucose (2 hr PG), HbA1c and plasma insulin, lipid profile, ALT, GGT) were estimated at baseline (Clinical Trial Identification No: NCT00819455). Predictive associations of baseline GGT and ALT values during the study were assessed using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: Baseline GGT but not ALT was significantly higher in incident diabetes cases. Mean (95% CI) GGT decreased in subjects who reverted to normal glucose tolerance (NGT), whereas it increased in subjects who deteriorated to diabetes (NGT:-3.5 (-6.4 to -0.6); IGT:0.3 (-3.0 to 2.4); DM:8.3 (3.6 to 13.0) UL(-1); P < 0.0001). The risk of DM significantly increased with increasing baseline GGT after adjusting for confounders such as BMI, alcohol drinking, 2 hr PG and insulin resistance (2.02[1.35-3.02]; P = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the model comprising of baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and GGT (area-under-curve(AUC)[95% CI]: 0.668 [0.613-0.722]; P < 0.0001) was equally sensitive in identifying subjects with risk of diabetes as compared to 2 hr PG (AUC [95% CI]: 0.670 [0.614-0.725]; P < 0.0001) and HbA1c (AUC [95% CI]: 0.677 [0.619-0.734]; P < 0.0001) alone. CONCLUSIONS: GGT was an independent predictor of incident diabetes. Combination of GGT and FPG offers a simple and sensitive tool to identify subjects at high risk of developing diabetes.

The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the youth in southern India-An ancillary analysis of the Secular TRends in DiabEtes in India (STRiDE-I) study.

BACKGROUND: We studied the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its associated risk factors in younger (20 and 39 years) and older individuals (≥40 years) over a 10-year period. METHODS: Epidemiological surveys in 2006 (n = 7066) and 2016 (n = 9848) were conducted in similar urban and rural locations of southern India among people aged ≥20 years. Diagnosis of T2DM was made using World Health Organization criteria. Self-reported diabetes was verified from medical records. Age and gender standardized prevalence and incidence rates, percentage change in obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were calculated. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using Poisson regression analyses. Primary study was registered on www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov. Identifier: NCT03490136. RESULTS: In 10 years, the prevalence of T2DM increased in younger (7.8% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.0001) and older individuals (34% vs. 28.4%, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, family history of diabetes, and waist circumference, younger individuals showed a higher percentage increase in prevalence than the older group (PR = 1.36 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.62], p = 0.001) versus (PR = 1.11 [95% CI, 1.02-1.20], p = 0.02). Increase in rates of obesity and dyslipidemia was also higher in the younger than in the older individuals. In 10 years, incidence of T2DM increased by 120% (1.1% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.0001) and 150% (5% vs. 2%, p < 0.0001) in the younger and older individuals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Higher percentage increase in prevalence of T2DM was seen among younger individuals over a 10-year period. Obesity and family history of diabetes were shown to be the primary contributing factors for the rise in prevalence.

A prospective, multicentre, randomized, open-label comparison of a long-acting basal insulin analog glargine plus glulisine with premixed insulin in insulin naïve patients with Type 2 diabetes - A study from India.

AIMS: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of Glargine plus Glulisine to premixed insulin analogue, as measured by HbA1c ≤ 7.0% in insulin naive Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients with elevated fasting and/or postprandial plasma glucose. METHODS: Insulin-naive T2D patients (116 men, 84 women) on ≥ 2 oral hypoglycemic agents with inadequate glycemic control were randomized either to group 1 (insulin Glargine plus Glulisine, n = 101) or group 2 (Premixed Insulin analogue, n = 99). RESULTS: In the intention to treat analysis, at week 24, percentage of patients with good glycaemic control (HbA1c ≤ 7.0%) was similar between the two groups (16.8% in Group 1 vs. 13.1% in Group 2, χ2 - 0.535, p = 0.47). Significant reductions in fasting and postprandial levels were observed in groups 1 and 2 at both post-baseline time points (Week 12 and 24). In group 1, reduction in HbA1c from baseline to week 12 was 0.6 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.2 at week 24, p < 0.0001 for all. In group 2, no significant change in HbA1c was observed. In group 1, 83.2% required an additional dose of glulisine and in group 2, 88.9% required an additional dose of premixed insulin. Hypoglycemic events were similar in both groups (0.12 events per person-year in group 1 and 0.13 events per person-year in group 2). Weight gain was non-significant in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Glargine plus Glulisine, though in higher dose was effective as premixed insulin in lowering HbA1c. Hypoglycemic events per person-year were similar in both groups.

Concordance in incidence of diabetes among persons with prediabetes detected using either oral glucose tolerance test or glycated haemoglobin.

AIMS: To study the concordance in the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) between cohorts with prediabetes, selected either by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) at two years in a real world situation. METHODS: Two cohorts with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were selected from the non-interventional arm of the Indian diabetes prevention programmes; a group selected by using OGTT (Cohort 1, n = 498), another selected based on the HbA1c criterion (Cohort 2, n = 504). Clinical and biochemical data collected for 24 months at 6 monthly intervals were used in assessing the cumulative incidence of T2DM using the respective diagnostic criteria. Intra and inter group comparisons were analysed using appropriate statistical tests. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the variables significantly associated with the incidence of diabetes. RESULTS: Incidence of diabetes in both cohorts were similar at 12 and 24 months with either of the two criteria (25.3% with glucose and 27.5% with HbA1c, p = 0.41 at 24 months). The multivariate analysis confirmed the results. Only baseline waist circumference was positively associated with the incidence. CONCLUSION: Both OGTT and HbA1c have similar utility and validity in identifying persons with IGT. Persons identified with either of the criterion had similar incidence of T2DM among Asian Indians.

Improvement in glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes with treatment using an interactive mobile application - A pilot study from India.

AIMS: We studied the outcome of glycaemic management using Diahome, a smart-phone application compared to conventional treatment. Overall acceptability of the application among users was also assessed. METHODS: This is a retrospective, case-control study of patients on virtual diabetes care using the Diahome app (n = 441) and those visited the hospital out-patient services (n = 446) between April and June 2021. Men and women aged 45-60 years with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were selected. RESULTS: A total of 173 records with initial and follow-up visits were analyzed (app users n = 91, non-app users n = 82). Participants were aged 59 ± 12 years and were obese. The two groups were similar by age, gender distribution and duration of T2DM. Fasting blood glucose significantly reduced only among the app-users from a baseline level of 156 ± 70 mg/dl to 129 ± 40 mg/dl at follow-up (p < 0.02). Reduction in HbA1c levels was observed in both groups (p < 0.0001); percentage improvement was better among app (15.8%) than in non-app users (10.4%), p = 0.004. Triglycerides level were higher at both time points among app-users (p < 0.05) as compared to the other group. More than 56% of the users rated the performance of Diahome app as excellent; virtual consultation was rated the highest (71.5%) among the Diahome services. DISCUSSION: Glycaemic management of diabetes using a dedicated mobile application was superior to in-person hospital visits. Its long-term effectiveness and cost savings need to be ascertained.

Serum and salivary adipokines in type 2 diabetes - Results of a pilot study in India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Association of serum and salivary adiponectin, apelin, visfatin and vaspin were studied in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among Asian Indians. Their concentrations in periodontitis were also studied. METHODS: In this cross-sectional analysis, men and women aged ≥35 years, with no history of diabetes, were screened for ≥3 risk factors for T2DM (n = 615). Eligible persons underwent a 75 gm oral glucose tolerance test and were categorized as Group A (Normal and Impaired Glucose Tolerant, n = 65) and Group B (Incident T2DM, n = 25). Screening for periodontitis was done. Saliva samples were collected in the morning. Participants refrained from food intake for about 2 hours prior to collection . Serum and saliva were stored for analysis. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin was low (p = 0.006) in T2DM and correlated with its salivary levels (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Serum apelin levels were similar, but salivary concentrations were higher (p = 0.014) in T2DM. Higher serum (p = 0.016) and salivary (p = 0.03) visfatin levels were seen in T2DM. Vaspin levels showed no significant difference in the two groups, either in blood or saliva. Serum adipokines did not differ in the presence of periodontitis. In saliva, higher vaspin (p = 0.034) and lower visfatin (p = 0.018) concentrations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The selected adipokines were measurable in saliva, in lower concentrations. Salivary adiponectin and visfatin measurements may be useful in studies on T2DM.

Reinforcement of adherence to prescription recommendations in Asian Indian diabetes patients using short message service (SMS)--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of using short message services (SMS) via cell phones to ensure adherence to management prescriptions by diabetic patients. METHODS: Type 2 diabetic patients with 5 or more years of diabetes and having HbA1c between 7.0% to 10% were randomized to the control arm (n = 105) to receive standard care and to the intervention arm (SMS, n = 110). Messages in English on principles of diabetes management were sent once in 3 days, the contents and frequencies varied as per the patients' preferences. The study duration was 1 year. All participants were advised to report for quarterly clinic visits. A comparative assessment of the clinical, biochemical and anthropometric outcomes was made among the groups at the annual visit. RESULTS: Annual review was possible in 71% of intervention group and 63% of control group. SMS was acceptable to the patients and the median number requested was 2 per week. HbA1c and plasma lipids improved significantly in the SMS group. CONCLUSIONS: The pilot study showed that frequent communication via SMS was acceptable to diabetic patients and it helped to improve the health outcomes.

Analysis of an Indian diabetes prevention programme on association of adipokines and a hepatokine with incident diabetes.

To study the association and possible predictive role of visfatin, resistin, fetuin-A and chemerin with incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among Asian Indians with prediabetes. Their association with insulin resistance, ß-cell function, glycaemia and anthropometry were also studied. This is a nested case-control study of a large 2-year prospective prevention trial in persons at high risk of developing T2DM. Baseline HbA1c values between 6.0% (42 mmol/mol) and 6.2% (44 mmol/mol) were chosen for this analysis (n = 144). At follow-up, persons with incident T2DM (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, 48 mmol/mol) were grouped as cases (n = 72) and those reverted to normoglycaemia, (HbA1c < 5.7% (39 mmol/mol) as controls (n = 72). Insulin resistance showed the strongest association with incident T2DM ((Odds Ratio (OR): 23.22 [95%CI 6.36-84.77]; p < 0.0001). Baseline visfatin (OR: 6.56 [95%CI 2.21-19.5]; p < 0.001) and fetuin-A (OR: 1.01 [95%CI (1.01-1.04)]; p < 0.0001) independently contributed to the conversion of prediabetes to T2DM. The contribution was significantly higher when their elevated levels coexisted (OR: 12.63 [95%CI 3.57-44.63]; p < 0.0001). The area under the curve was 0.77 ± SE 0.4 (95%CI 0.69-0.85) and 0.80 ± SE 0.04 (95%CI 0.73-0.88) for visfatin (median 17.7 ng/ml, sensitivity and specificity: 75%, p < 0.0001) and fetuin-A (mean 236.2 µg/ml, sensitivity: 71%, specificity: 75%, p < 0.0001) respectively. Higher baseline visfatin and fetuin-A concentrations are strongly associated with incident T2DM and are predictive of future diabetes.

Secular trends in cardiovascular risk factors among urban and rural populations in Tamil Nadu, India - An ancillary analysis of the STRiDE-I study.

AIMS: To study changes in cardiovascular (CV) risk factors; hypertension (HTN), dysglycaemia (DG) and dyslipidaemia (DL) and their interrelationship, in urban and rural Southern India, in a decade. METHODS: Epidemiological data of a city (Chennai, n = 2192(2006), n = 3850(2016)) and peri-urban villages (Panruti, n = 2584 (2006), n = 2468 (2016)) among persons aged ≥ 20 years in 2006 and in 2016 were analysed. Age-standardized prevalence, prevalence ratios and interrelationships of HTN, DG and DL and effect of time in years, age, gender and obesity were calculated using Poisson regression analyses. RESULTS: Response rates in urban and rural areas were 86.5% and 87.6% respectively. Mean age, general obesity (GO), abdominal obesity (AO), total calories and carbohydrate intake increased in both populations (p < 0.0001). Rural population had lower BMI than the urban but had higher AO, particularly among women. Physical activity decreased only in the urban population. HTN increased in urban population; in both, proportion of known HTN decreased, DG and DL increased. CONCLUSIONS: In both populations, GO, AO, DG and DL increased; AO and DL were more common among rural women. HTN did not increase in the rural population. The risk factors increased rapidly even in rural areas projecting the impact of urbanisation on the CV burden.

Profile and prognosis of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 virus infection with and without diabetes - An observational study from South India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We studied the profile and outcome of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection with and without type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: In this observational study, clinical details of patients with COVID-19, identified by Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction admitted to 4 hospitals in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India were collected from May to November 2020. A total of 845 (n = 423 with diabetes, n = 422 without diabetes) were selected for the analysis. Clinical details, biochemical and radiological investigations, diabetes treatment, intensive care, mortality and other adverse outcomes were recorded. Patients with clinical history of T2DM, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) and/or random blood glucose ≥200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) were included. Statistical analyses were done using chi-square or 't' test and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: At admission, patients with T2DM were older (p < 0.0001), had higher co-morbidities such as coronary artery disease (p = 0.02), hypertension (p < 0.0001), hypothyroidism (p = 0.03) and renal disorders (p = 0.01) than non-diabetes persons. Requirement for intensive care was higher among them. Acute renal injury or failure, pneumonia and myocardial infarction developed in higher percentage of T2DM. Mortality was significantly higher in T2DM (10.2% vs 5.9%, p = 0.02). However, in the multiple logistic regression analysis, only age (p < 0.0001) and renal disorders (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that mortality was associated with higher age and renal disorders but did not show an association with diabetes, among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection.

Trend in the clinical profile of type 2 diabetes in India - Study from a diabetes care centre in South India.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Study the changing clinical and therapeutic profiles of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients during a 10-year period in a diabetes care centre in Southern India. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional data of newly registered and review patients at four periods between 2009 and 2018 were analysed (n = 50,322). Clinical findings, anthropometry, blood pressure (BP), glycaemia, lipids, treatment, and co-morbid conditions were analysed. We studied the trends in age and gender distributions, body mass index (BMI), glycaemia, (Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels), BP, cholesterol, triglycerides and therapeutic regimen during this period. Trend analyses were done. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of patients were men. Percentages in 30-40 years increased, ∼60% were aged 50-69 years and proportion of older patients decreased (p < 0.0001). In 10 years, 85.9% was overweight, obesity increased from 22.1% to 25.0% (p < 0.0001) and <13% maintained normal BMI. HbA1c <7.0% remained approximately at 22%, percentage with moderate glycaemic control (HbA1c 7.0-7.9%) increased significantly, HbA1c of ≥9.0% decreased from 35.1% to 29.1% (p < 0.0001). Use of monotherapy decreased. Prevalence of hypertension increased from 16.2% to 21.6% (p < 0.0001); use of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) and calcium channel blockers increased, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and thiazides decreased (p < 0.0001). Increased use of statins paralleled with reduction in total cholesterol and LDLc. CONCLUSION: Increasing percentages of younger patients and obesity, use of multiple drugs and reduction in HbA1c were the important observations. Rising prevalence of hypertension, increased use of ARB and statins with better control of dyslipidaemia was observed. Achievement of ideal HbA1c and BP were suboptimal.

Effectiveness of mobile phone text messaging in improving glycaemic control among persons with newly detected type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of text messaging as a tool to improve glycaemic control among newly diagnosed T2D patients in a 2 year period. METHODS: This is a multicentric, randomised controlled trial conducted in 2 states of India. The primary outcome was improvement in glycaemia measured by an HbA1c value of ≤7% (53 mmol/mol) with intervention. The secondary outcomes were changes in biochemical, dietary parameters and physical activity. Acceptability of text messages was assessed. Persons having HbA1c value of ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) at diagnosis were enrolled. A total of 248 participants with a mean age of 43.3 ±â€¯8.7 years were recruited. Participants in the control group (n = 122) received standard care, the intervention group (n = 126) received customized text messages thrice a week. Both groups received personal advice at the beginning of the study. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. At 24 months, both groups showed significant reduction in blood pressure and glycaemic variables in comparison to the baseline values. The intervention group showed significant lowering of LDLc also. Multivariate analysis showed that reduction in HbA1c was associated with intervention. CONCLUSION: Text messaging can lead to improvement in glycaemic control through personal empowerment and sustained behavioural changes.